building DIY VOTT : longtime project. where to start?

[Tralalalala]

Hi ,

I searched ebay yesterday looking for Altec multicell horns.
Just for fun.

Which multicell horn should I choose for a longtime project ?

I see that you can get a pair of Altec 511B or H-811B for around 200 USD...
I thought to myself that buying a pair of horns would be a good start.

I`m a newbie on Altec stuff. Have no idea where to go in this jungle of vintage gear ....


All help will be appreciated !


- tralalalala

[Old Guy]

In my not always humble opinion the 511 is a much better horn

They are radial/sectoral horns...but way cheaper than any multicell.

[fpitas]

My experience with the 511 is that it is indeed a good-to-excellent sounding horn...if damped properly. Mine are free-standing (no enclosure), so they don't benefit from flange damping; but a skeptical friend with his mounted in a cabinet had a similar experience, much better clarity and less coloration.

[Tralalalala]

Thanks!


The 511-B and the H-811-B are both radial horns.... OK - understand.

And the 511 is a better horn... damping : hmm... over to my next question :

There is a pair of Altec multicell horns for sale where I live. A pair of Altec 1003.


They are filled with tare and sand.

2 .They are indeed way more expensive, but are the 1003 too big ?

3. What prices do these 1003 horns go for in the US ?

[fpitas]

"Too big" is relative, of course. I'd think you'd want to have a large listening room, and listen at a distance of at least 4m from such a large horn for it to sound right. I've seen pairs of 1003Bs for as little as $1,000 USD on eBay, although the normal price is about $1,400.

[Phil-G]

for what it's worth i saw a single 511b sell for 54$ +30$ shipping last night. so theres a pretty good chance they can be had for a bit less than 200.

Altec H 511B from Vott | eBay

[Tralalalala]

Cool.

Thanks for the information !

[Phil-G]

if your your in chi town and you want to take a shortcut. i just saw a pair a7 cabs posted. but if you just build them yourself they might come out better.

Altec Cabinets A7 or A5 Plywood | eBay

[fpitas]

Having bought three pairs of 511s off of eBay, I'd say the main things to watch out for are the flange mounting ears being broken, and the paint missing in places. Of course a spray can will fix the paint issue, but the missing ears are more serious, aesthetically at least.

[Tralalalala]

OK.

So 511 horns is the way to go !

Paint and Mounting Ears in good shape : I?ll keep that in mind.

Live in Norway so have no chance paying for shipment of large cabinets over the Atlantic....
But thanks for the help !

1. What type of drivers should I be on the lookout for ?

I really like the green Altec colors mentioned in this thread :
Altec Green, how to reproduce this color?

2. Is it difficult to repaint the 511 horns ? do you have to strip off the old paint before repainting it ?